JACKSON – It’s unlikely that students will attend charter schools in Mississippi in August 2014.

Members of the new charter school board say there’s not enough time to complete applications, approve them and set up schools by next fall.

In a meeting Monday, the Charter School Authorizer Board left open the possibility that some well-prepared applicants could be allowed to go ahead. But their applications might not be approved until early June, less than three months before the school year starts.

The board is also seeking to hire a consultant to help members review applications. The board is required by law to seek applications by Dec. 1.

The board has no state money, and it’s not clear how the board would pay a consultant. It’s soliciting donations, but hasn’t received any yet.